50 years of ASEAN – Still waiting for social and ecological justice

ASEAN explained in 5 minutes - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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The development of ASEAN - an introduction

In 1967 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded. This dossier sheds light on the institutional framework of ASEAN and analyses with contributions by civil society and academia, where social and ecological justice has, or should have, its place in Southeast Asia.

By Julia Behrens, Manfred Hornung and Fransiskus Tarmedi

Is ASEAN able to react to the social and ecological challenges by taking the interest of its people into account?

ASEAN turns 50. However, who has a reason to celebrate in times of shrinking spaces, foreign policy disputes and the ecological crisis? We look into realities of people in Southeast Asia behind ASEAN´s promises to be sustainable and people-oriented - and find that many are still waiting for social and ecological justice.

50 Years of ASEAN – Still Waiting for Social and Ecological Justice

In 2017 ASEAN turns 50. This book collects all articles of our dossier "50 Years of ASEAN" and analyzes the institutions of ASEAN - their history, dynamics and policies.

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ASEAN as political community

ASEAN Identity, now and into the future: the interaction across borders in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a patchwork of networks, life-worlds, trading systems and cross-cultural pathways of human interaction. These interactions have always existed in different shapes, as a look to the rural borderlands shows.

By Farish A. Noor

Zeichnung von ASEAN zwischen der amerikanischen und der chinesischen Flagge

ASEAN among Great Powers

Competing trade agreements and planned infrastructure investments are dilemmas that ASEAN can only successfully solve if they approach the challenges as group that lets go if its consensus decision-making and allows for countries´ flexible participation.

By Truong-Minh Vu

Infographics

Node is lost

Graphics: Sabine Hecher.

Civil society

Demonstrierende auf den Straßen von Manila

Series of photographs

Living in border zones

“Mountainland” is an ongoing long-term project by the photographer Sascha Richter that surveys the lives and societies of Zomia. The pictures presented here were taken as first part of the project in October 2016 in the Northwest of Vietnam. More parts of the series can be found here. [gallery]

Environment and sustainability

Climate of Change: The Struggle for Renewable Energy in Southeast Asia - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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Video recording of the event "Climate of Change. The Struggle for Renewable Energy in Southeast Asia" on 8th November 2017. More information.

New strategies of sustainable food production in ASEAN

Renewable Energy in ASEAN

Podcast: 50 Years of ASEAN

Within 50 years of existence, ASEAN has made progress on environmental policies – at least on paper. On the ground, paradigms around economic development and growth still shape realities of the people who find it literally harder and harder to breathe.

Forest fires and the haze, daily traffic routines and large-scale industry make the extent of environmental damage in Southeast Asia visible. In this podcast series of Johanna Son, we look behind ASEAN´s promises to be sustainable and people-oriented and find that the institution still falls short of social and ecological justice.

50 Years of ASEAN (1/3): Taking stock of ASEAN´s vision of development

Where are ecological concerns in the ASEAN development paradigm? They are stuck in the word “sustainable”. Despite the haze agreement and protocols on maritime policies, ASEAN has fallen short of reacting to climate change.

50 Years of ASEAN (2/3): All clear on the Haze?

The haze agreement is the first agreement in ASEAN on an explicit environmental issue. It has entered into force 2003 in order to manage forest fires and reduce environmental destruction as well as air pollution with joint regional efforts.

50 Years of ASEAN (3/3): Sustainable Transport and Emissions

Everyone who has ever been to one of the Southeast Asian urban centers knows that traffic is a big problem. It is a problem for life quality of the city citizens as the endless traffic jams are health hazards and time consuming. Beyond this, transportation also cause emissions that contribute to climate change. However, solutions to free the streets from cars are yet to be implemented.